This lecture will discuss key elements of innovation systems in small market economies that are critical for stimulating and supporting new venture creation, university-industry collaboration and the flow of risk capital. Drawing upon the author’s research on Scottish and Colombian innovation systems, the lecture will address key factors such as public policy, incentives, funding & education, amongst others that are key for a successful & sustainable innovation system.

Biography

Dr Geoff Gregson is Deputy Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Research at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom and has a Visiting Professorship at EADA Business School (Spain). Geoff holds a PhD, MSc & LLM (IP Law) from University of Edinburgh; and MBA from University of Calgary (Canada). His undergraduate degree is from the University of Alberta (Canada). Research interests include: technology commercialisation; exploitation of intellectual property (IP); university-industry collaboration & academic entrepreneurship; risk capital investment; science & innovation policy; social & sustainable entrepreneurship; business support and evaluation; IP systems & patent policy.

His research has been funded by the European Union, Governments of the UK, Scotland and Colombia; Marie Curie Programme; British Academy; Economic & Social Research Council (UK); Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (UK); and Scottish Stem Cell Network. He is academic associate with the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology & Innovation; Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences & the Law; and Scholar with the Advanced Institute of Management. Previous to academia, Geoff was Project Manager with the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation (CETAC) assisting engineers in exploiting technologies in new markets. Prior to CETAC, he started-up and managed two companies. He remains actively involved in new venturing and supporting regional innovation initiatives in the UK, Canada, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Colombia.

Language

The presentation will be conducted in English. Russian translation provided upon prior request.